A Lidl vai lançar na próxima semana um gadget aprovado por Martin Lewis, ideal para ajudar as famílias a enfrentar o inverno.

Lidl’s new winter gadget: small box, big promise

Lidl is set to sell a heated electric clothes airer: a fold-up drying rack with gentle, built-in heat. It’s useful in UK winters when outdoor drying is unreliable and a tumble dryer can noticeably bump your electricity bill.

The appeal is simple: lower power, steadier drying.

• Heated airers are often around 200–300 W
• Tumble dryers are often around 2,000–3,000 W (more for older/less efficient models)

To estimate running cost:

cost ≈ (W ÷ 1000) × hours × your price per kWh

At roughly 25–35p/kWh, a 300 W airer for 4 hours uses 1.2 kWh (often ~30–40p). A tumble-dryer cycle can cost several times that, depending on programme length, load size, and whether it’s a vented, condenser, or heat-pump model.

This isn’t a “replacement dryer” for every home. It’s a cheaper way to take the edge off everyday laundry-especially lighter items-if you accept that drying is slower.

How to use Lidl’s heated airer like someone who actually saves money

Treat it like “low-power laundry”: you’ll save most when you speed drying up without turning it into a damp, condensation problem.

Best setup: a small room with ventilation (window on the latch or an extractor fan). The common mistake is drying in a closed room and then paying for it in wet windows, musty smells, and eventually mould.

Tips that genuinely matter:

• Give items space: if fabric touches fabric, drying time jumps. Think “single layer”, not piled.
• Load smart: put thicker items (jeans, hoodies, towels) on the warmest bars with extra gaps; lighter items around the edges.
• Flip/rotate once: swapping heavy pieces halfway through often saves hours.
• Control humidity: one load of washing can add around 1–2 litres of water to indoor air. If you’re seeing regular condensation, aim for ~40–60% RH (a cheap hygrometer helps). A dehumidifier can help, but remember it also uses electricity-use it when damp is the bigger problem than speed.
• Basic safety: stable, level floor; keep clear of curtains and soft furnishings; don’t “tent” it with plastic or bedding; avoid cheap, overloaded extension leads (plug into a wall socket where possible). As with any heated appliance, it’s usually safest not to leave it running unattended.

A quick “money-saving” checklist:

• Use it for smaller, regular loads rather than one huge load.
• Leave clear gaps so air can move.
• Rotate thicker items once during drying.
• Ventilate to prevent condensation and mould.
• Keep the tumble dryer for urgent loads and bulky towels/bedding.

What this says about how we’ll get through winter

This kind of gadget matters because it fixes a real winter routine problem: fewer tumble-dryer cycles, fewer clothes on radiators, and less “all-day damp laundry” in living spaces.

It also encourages a practical approach to energy use: targeted tools for expensive tasks. A heated airer won’t heat your home, but it can reduce one of the more frustrating electricity spikes-clothes drying-if you’ve got the space and can ventilate.

If the price lands around £30–£50, it can be a sensible buy, with realistic expectations: gentle drying that’s cheaper per hour, but usually needs several hours (and longer for thick cottons).

Key point	Detail	Value for the reader
Lidl is launching a heated airer	An affordable winter “Specialbuy”-style drying aid, similar to options often recommended by Martin Lewis	Helps you plan a practical purchase that can reduce dryer use
Cheaper to run than a tumble dryer	Much lower wattage; cost depends mainly on how long you run it	Can cut laundry costs without changing how often you wash
Best results need simple habits	Space, rotation, and ventilation (or dehumidifying when needed)	Avoids the classic trap: saving energy but creating damp/mould

FAQ:

• Will Lidl’s heated airer actually save money compared with a tumble dryer?
  Often, yes-mainly because the wattage is far lower. The biggest “savings killer” is overloading it, which can double drying time.

• Is it safe to leave the heated airer on while I’m out?
  Most manufacturers recommend supervision for heated appliances. If you have to run it briefly, reduce risk: clear space around it, stable floor, and a proper wall socket (not a flimsy extension setup).

• Won’t drying clothes indoors cause damp and mould?
  It can, especially in homes that already get condensation. Ventilate (window on the latch or extractor fan) and consider a dehumidifier if humidity stays high.

• How much will Lidl’s version cost?
  Prices vary by promotion, but heated airers commonly sit around £30–£50. Check wattage, size, and the returns/warranty details.

• Can it fully replace my tumble dryer?
  For smaller households, it often can for day-to-day items. Bigger families usually use it to cover regular loads and keep the tumble dryer for towels, bedding, or urgent “need it now” drying.